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Are you looking for effective ways to boost your income and earn some extra cash each month?
Whether your goal is to get rid of some debt, save up for an important purchase, or just enjoy some extra spending money, having an additional $1,000 in your bank account can be a game changer.
In today’s economy, there are many side hustles that you can pursue to boost your earnings. Unlike in the past, where your only option was the traditional 9-5 job.
In this article, I’ve put together 24 innovative ways to earn an additional $1,000 a month that you likely haven’t considered yet, from boarding pets to moving furniture.
These unique and interesting ways will take you from stretching to make ends meet to saving money, living the lifestyle you desire, and having peace of mind about your future.
Our carefully selected ideas will spark your creativity and inspire you to get started earning more money.
So let’s jump right in and see which of these ideas might be the perfect fit for you to make that extra $1,000 a month!
1. Auto Detailing
With very little investment you can start a business that can be booming in no time, car detailing!
Lots of people these days are too busy to keep their cars clean, so why not grab some cleaning gear, set your price, and offer your services?
You can start small, by only offering a wash, wax, and interior vacuum, then expand into more services like headlight refreshing, engine bay cleaning, and more.
2. Make Knives
If you enjoy working with your hands, making knives might be the perfect side hustle for you.
You can learn how to make them online and with a little practice and skill, you could be making some serious money by selling them on Etsy or at local craft shows.
3. 3D Printing
This may sound out of your reach, but 3D printing is not that hard to get into, and you can make some good money from it.
You do need to invest in a 3D printer and supplies, but once you have them, you can design and print your own products to sell on sites like Etsy.
4. Flip Cars
One way that you can make at least $1,000 a month is by flipping cars.
Start by watching for a really good buy on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist, then take the time to give it a good cleaning and fix any issues you find, then resell the car for a higher price.
You might even find deals by driving around town and looking for people selling their cars.
5. Computer Cleaning and Repair
Most people have no idea how to clean or repair their computers, so when issues arise, it’s an income opportunity for tech-savvy people.
You can start by offering your services to friends and family, then post ads or find small businesses in your area that may need computer repair services but don’t have the budget for a full-time IT person.
And if repair is too much for you, consider helping with the installation of anti-virus software and scanning people’s computers. Just a basic scan and file cleanup could have their machines running fast once again.
6. Polish Rocks and Crystals
Another unique way to make money is by collecting and selling polished rocks and crystals.
Many people use crystals and rocks for jewelry making, as home decor, or they just collect them, so
start by researching the types of rocks and crystals that are in demand and where you can find them.
Then, polish them to sell at local markets, craft fairs, or even online through platforms like Etsy.
7. Flip Finds
You can make a profit by finding items on Craigslist, Marketplace, or garage sales and flipping them for a higher price.
You can even rent a booth at a flea market if you are selective and buy unique or rare items that you can sell for a higher price.
8. Board Pets
Many people have pets they don’t want to take on vacation with them or leave alone when they have to take a business trip out of town, so there is definitely a market for pet boarding.
Just make sure you have a clean and secure space for the pets, provide quality care while their owners are away, and advertise your services.
If you don’t have the space, offer to pet sit in their house. Many animals will be happier staying in a familiar spot, so you coming to visit every day or sleeping there is a way to work this side gig if you don’t have or want them in your home.
9. Kids Party Entertainment
Parents love to throw fun and memorable birthday parties for their kids, so if you have a knack for entertaining children, this could be a great way to make extra cash.
You could offer services like face painting, balloon twisting, and magic shows or entertain with funny, kid-friendly jokes.
10. Junk Removal
With minimalism being a lifestyle many are choosing today, people are looking to get rid of their unwanted junk.
You can offer a service where you haul away all the items they no longer want and dispose of them properly or sell anything that is still in good shape to make even more money.
11. Wedding and Party DJ
If you enjoy music and love to make people dance, then becoming a wedding or party DJ could be the perfect way for you to make some extra cash.
You can advertise your services on social media and local event websites and work as a preferred vendor with wedding or party venues. To get started, reach out to current DJs in your area and see if they would be willing to show you the ropes.
12. Housesitter
It is a worry for many people leaving their homes unattended while they are away on vacation or business.
As a housesitter, you can offer peace of mind by looking after their home, pets, and plants while they’re away.
13. Scissor Sharpener
Hair salons, barber shops, pet groomers, and anyone else who regularly uses scissors need to have them sharpened, and you can provide that service.
You can set up a mobile sharpening service and travel to your clients’ locations or rent out a space where you can offer your services.
14. Handyman
Many people are so busy these days and don’t have the time to do small household repairs or maintenance tasks.
As a handyman, you can offer your services to help people with tasks such as fixing leaky faucets, painting walls, hanging shelves, and assembling furniture.
15. Homestead Helper
This is a side job that can not only make you good money, but you can also learn a lot and enjoy yourself while doing it.
Many people are interested in homesteading these days but don’t have the time or manpower to do all the work it takes to keep a new homestead thriving.
As a homestead helper, you can offer gardening, animal care, chopping wood, and land-clearing services to those who want to live a more self-sufficient lifestyle.
16. Moving Furniture
Hiring a moving company is expensive and not always necessary for smaller moves so that’s where you come in as a moving furniture helper.
You can help people pack, load, and unload their belongings when they move or rearrange furniture in their current homes.
17. Decorate Cakes
If you enjoy baking and decorating, why not make some extra money from your talent?
People are looking for unique and personalized cakes for special occasions like birthdays, weddings, and baby showers, so why not offer your services as a custom cake decorator?
18. House Washing
Cleaning windows and the exterior of homes is a task that many homeowners dread.
You can earn up to $50 an hour, especially if you also offer power washing for sidewalks and siding, making it a great way to earn extra cash.
19. Real Estate Gopher
Realtors have busy jobs, showing houses, listing properties, and meeting with clients, so why not offer your services as a “real estate gopher”?
Many real estate agents need a real estate gopher to run errands such as picking up keys or signs, dropping off paperwork, and taking photos for listings. This allows them to focus more on closing deals, which drives their income. The more deals you help them close, the higher your potential income.
20. Golf Caddy
If you live near a golf course, you have an opportunity just waiting for you as a golf caddy.
Caddies can make great money, especially during tournaments and if you work for several regular clients.
After college, I had a friend who worked a full-time job and took all of his vacation time in the summer. The catch was he didn’t travel anywhere. He worked as a caddy those weeks. Not only did he make a couple hundred dollars a day caddying, but he was also earning his vacation pay from his job.
21. Rental Management
Some people invest in rental properties, but they don’t live in the area, so how about starting a rental management business?
You can manage vacation or long-term rentals for property owners who don’t have the time or live too far away to do it themselves.
22. Buy and Sell Computer Parts
If you are computer savvy, you can find great deals on non-working computers with various working parts that you can sell to make extra money.
You can just take the computer apart, salvage valuable parts such as memory, hard drives, and graphics cards, and sell these parts online.
23. Event Photographer
From concerts to weddings, there is always a demand for skilled photographers to capture special moments.
If you have photography skills, consider becoming an event photographer. You can market your services to event planners or directly to clients.
24. Sell Car Parts
If you like working on cars, you can buy cheap cars or ones that have been wrecked and salvage any parts that are still in good working condition and sell them individually for a profit.
This is a great way to make at least $1,000 a month if you watch for good buys and popular car parts.
Apps That Pay Real Money
Did you know there are apps that you can download and make money to use?
Some offer cash back, others pay you to do tasks, and some pay you to play games.
Here is a complete list of the best apps that pay you real money.
Best Side Hustles For Extra Cash
Are you looking for more ways to make money on the side?
I compiled a list of over 100 side hustles in various categories.
Some allow you to make a few bucks month, others a few hundred, and some you can turn into a full-time career!
The Best Side Hustles You Need To Know
I have over 15 years experience in the financial services industry and 20 years investing in the stock market. I have both my undergrad and graduate degrees in Finance, and am FINRA Series 65 licensed and have a Certificate in Financial Planning.
Visit my About Me page to learn more about me and why I am your trusted personal finance expert.